All of us want to live longer, and we want the same for the people close to our hearts. When it comes to our dogs, there is no exception. Nevertheless, we will have to say goodbye to our furry friends sooner or later for good, and we cannot do much about it. But knowing the average lifespan of your dog may help one prepare for the moment. So if you are bringing home a Corgi puppy, you may want to know the average Corgi lifespan.
Continue reading as we are going to discuss it all about Corgi’s lifespan: How long do Corgis live? What are the factors affecting Corgi’s lifespan? What are major Corgi health issues? And how to improve Corgi’s lifespan?
Corgi Lifespan: How Long Do Corgis Live?
Though Corgis, in general, live for about 12 to 15 years, much is dependent on the individual Corgi type, health, genetic makeup, and other such factors. That said, female Corgis are said to live a year two longer than their male counterparts.
Corgis are also susceptible to several health issues, which can greatly affect the life expectancy of a Corgi. So not every Corgi will have the same life expectancy.
What Are the Factors Influencing the Corgi Lifespan?
Several factors, ranging from the quality of life and nutrition to genetic makeup, are known to affect life expectancy in dogs. Below is a breakdown of all the major factors affecting Corgis’ life expectancy.
Types of Corgis
There are two types of Corgi dogs: Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. The former outlive the latter by a margin of, on average, one month. Pembroke Corgis have an average life expectancy of 12 years and 3 months, while Cardigans have an average lifespan of 12 years and 2 months.
Size
In general, the life duration in animals is directly proportional to their size: the larger the animal, the longer the lifespan. Nevertheless, so is not the case with dogs: small dog breeds tend to have a longer lifespan as compared to large dog breeds. It is evident from the fact that the breeds of large dogs live for 12 years, while small to medium dogs can go up to 15 years. As a matter of fact, the known longest living dog—Bluey—who lived for about three decades was a medium-sized Australian Cattle dog.
Cowboy Corgi is a crossbreed of Australian Cattle dog with Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Genetic Makeup
Ancestry and the genetic makeup Corgis inherit from their parents can significantly alter their lifespan. If the parents of a Corgi had a small lifespan or vice versa, chances are that that Corgi will also undergo the same fate. Similarly, if his family bloodline carries family disorders and diseases, he will also be prone to suffer, jeopardizing his life expectancy.
Reputed Corgi breeders tend to rule out the possibility of congenital diseases while selecting a dog for breeding. However, you should still get a test for the most common congenital Corgi health issues.
Inbreeding
Inbreeding is the process of mating between two closely related animals, such as the offspring of the same parents. Inbreeding can reduce the lifespan of dogs because the progeny of closely related dogs has a greater risk of carrying hereditary diseases and disorders, making them more vulnerable to life-threatening health experiences.
Neutering
Neutering refers to spaying in females and castration in males, which deprives them of their capacity to reproduce. Though recent studies and observations suggest that spaying dogs can improve their lifespan, it is still a burning question among dog owners. Some say that it is not the case and neutering can actually impact the lifespan of their dogs negatively, while others maintain that the act is cruel and no dog must be neutered.
Accidents
By and large, all dogs are physically active—high-energy dogs are more active as compared to lazy dog breeds. However, this characteristic might sometimes prove fatal, especially in open spaces such as roadsides. For instance, unleashed dogs might become uncontrollable, and the probability of them being hit by a car will multiply many times. While physical activities should be encouraged, we should try to walk dogs on leash and never let them go off-leash unless the territory is secured with fences.
What Do Corgis Die From?
Unfortunately, the Corgi breed is prone to some illnesses and disorders that can significantly decrease their lifespan. If you find the signs and symptoms of dog sickness, you need to take remedial actions before the situation worsens. The five most common Corgi health issues are discussed below.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
In this disease, discs of the vertebrae toughen, thus causing immense pressure on the spinal cord of your dog. Consequently, the nervous and coordination system is affected severely. The problem may worsen if your dog does jumping and intense workouts. In the worst-case scenario, the spinal cord fractures.
Though IVDD is most prevalent in older dogs, younger ones are also prone to it. Other than Corgi puppies, some dog breeds such as Pocket Pitbull, Cowboy Corgi, and Chiweenie are more susceptible to IVDD. The disease can deprive him of any ability, including walking, which can critically jeopardize his health over a longer period as he might not be able to perform daily physical activities required for the maintenance of proper well-being. While generally, dogs can look up in a doggy way, dogs suffering from IVDD are unable to do so.
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
Hip dysplasia is the occurrence of unwanted cells in the hip and thigh bone joint of your dog. As a result, the joint may be swollen, and the bones will not fit together properly, and your dog will not be able to walk either properly or at all. Genetics, improper diet and exercise, rapid growth, and obesity are the main factors to be blamed; however, the exact cause is still a debate.
The condition does not seem to be life-threatening, but it may become so if you do not give your dog proper or timely treatment as the abnormal cell growth may sooner or later form cancer. Likewise, this inability of your dog to use his legs will strip him of vital and healthy activities, thus causing life-shortening complications.
Degenerative Myelopathy
It is a condition in which the genetic mutations impact the spinal cord of your dog. At first, he will lose his ability to walk and stand, but later on, he might not be able to control other functions as well, such as bowel movements. The disease is fatal because it has similar consequences as those of IVDD.
Besides, it worsens quickly and uncontrollably, and to add salt to wounds, there is no reliable cure available. Affected dogs only have six months to three years to live.
Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
VWD is a common inherited disorder in dogs—some dog breeds such as Golden Mountain dog and Irish Doodle are also susceptible to this health issue. It arises when the blood in your dog does not have enough von Willebrand protein, which is required for proper blood clotting. Consequently, when an injury occurs, the blood will not clot. This can result in excessive blood loss and can be fatal if severe injury occurs.
Overweight
As human beings, our dogs, including Corgis, are also prone to obesity. Though it is not problematic in itself, it can cause other diseases such as arthritis, renal issues, liver diseases, and heart problems. At worst, it can cause various types of cancers.
How to Improve the Corgi Lifespan?
Fortunately, there exist ways you can extend the life duration of your dog. Nevertheless, you will have to make them a part of his daily routine.
Regular Exercise
Exercise keeps dogs fit and healthy and keeps unnecessary fat accumulation at bay which can otherwise give rise to several harmful diseases. Exercise can also have various secondary benefits, such as stimulating the brain, which makes your dog more intelligent and wary of threats. Regular exercise is great for a healthy heart as well and reduces any risk of heart failure. In short, the benefits are many. So train your dog how to walk on a leash and learn how often you should walk your dog and take him for healthy walks.
Avoiding Risk
As already discussed, dogs are not immune to accidents. Just keep in mind that accidents are not limited to roads; that is why you need to be observant all the time. For instance, thoroughly examine your dog’s food to make sure that he does not contain any unwanted additives or debris.
Likewise, observe your dog when you feed him water so that he might not overdrink. Such small but consistent initiatives can decrease the odds of any mishap to a great extent.
Dental Care
Dental care seems to be a deed of little value in preventing life-threatening diseases; however, brushing your dog’s teeth regularly and annual dental cleaning can work wonders in prolonging the life of your pooch. According to research, annual dental cleaning can reduce the risk of death by 20%. It can also help your dog if he suffers from Von Willebrand Disease (VWD), as gums bleeding is a common occurrence in dogs with bad oral health. Healthy, clean gums will notably decrease the chances of such bleeding, thus reducing the chances of excessive blood loss.
Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is vital for a healthy mindset of dogs: a lack of mental stimulation can impact their behavior negatively. Resultantly, they might act furiously, trying to be destructive against anything and anyone that come their way. Hence, the chances of injury can increase, putting their lifespan at risk.
Moreover, good mental stimulation can make dogs cognizant of different threats, which can help them be conscious of and prepared for any danger. You must try to engage your dog in different mental exercises, such as food puzzles and games, to avoid boredom, which often leads to behavioral issues in dogs.
Correct and Timely Treatment
Correct and timely treatment is invaluable. For instance, a simple injury has the potential to cause death if it is left untreated for a long time. Likewise, an inexperienced and ill-informed vet can threaten the life of your pet. If your dog suffers from the diseases like dysplasia which can form cancer in the future, you need to be very active and willing to invest in your dog’s medical care to increase his life expectancy.
Vet Visits
Regular vet visits are very helpful in lengthening dogs’ lifetimes. Since dogs are good at hiding their illness, you should take your dog for a complete body checkup once every year. In this way, any undetected disease or abnormality can surface out pretty easily before it is too late.
Regular checkups can especially be helpful if your dog suffers from cancer, as it can be diagnosed and treated much earlier than the time it becomes incurable.
How to Know if a Corgi Is Dying?
Unfortunately, there is no clear indication that a dog is dying. However, if your beloved dog is aged and shows any of the following signs, he may be about to hit the cradle.
The Loss of Interest
Dying dogs lose interest in everything and everyone, even those whom they love the most. If your dog loses interest, he might also not go after his favorite games and activities that he was once passionate about, and his face will look increasingly depressed. He might always seem so tired to even go for a walk. He will often withdraw from the people around him and sit quietly.
No Good Feeling
Dogs do not have good feelings – either physical or emotional – if their death is near. They will be inactive, lethargic, and will show signs that they are suffering from immense pain. They might exhibit a changed and calmer demeanor.
Consequently, their sleeping patterns might change while they will be mostly sleepless during the nights.
Incontinence
Incontinence is the lack of control over urination and defecation. Dogs usually have this disease at older ages; however, younger dogs may also experience incontinence due to various reasons other than nearing death. So if your dog is peeing in the house, chances are he has incontinence, but due to medical reasons like fear, anxiety, or some medical reasons that can be easily cured.
That said, it is possible that your dog might not be able to hold his pee due to the fear of death. If the rest of the symptoms are present in your dog, it is possible incontinence is also a sign of a dying dog.
Changed Eating Habits
Dying dogs generally have erratic eating habits: they might not like to eat what they once liked the most, and their time to have a meal will also change. Just like in human beings, dogs also give up eating when they are in fear or worry. If your dog is not eating well despite no apparent symptom of any disease or complication, it is probably because he is fearful of his approaching death.
Lower Body Temperature
The normal body temperature in dogs ranges between 99.5 to 102.5°F. Any temperature above it would mean that your dog has a fever. And temperature below it would also mean that there is something wrong with your dog’s health, just like the change in the color of gums point out the improper functioning of organs.
If you cannot measure his temperature, notice his preferences when it comes to going to the colder places. If he is not as comfortable and easy as he used to be while stepping into a colder zone, his body temperature is below normal.
What to Do if a Corgi Is Dying?
If your dog has been exhibiting the above-discussed signs of sickness, you can adhere to the following recommendations either to delay his death or to get rid of the causes altogether:
Consulting a Vet
You should turn to a vet as soon as possible when you notice these symptoms because it is quite possible that your dog might not be dying but fighting a disease that is difficult for you to diagnose. It can be a life-threatening illness, and you should cap it in before it gets out of your hands.
Being Supportive
You should try to be physically and morally supportive of your furry friend. Just be ready to play his favorite games and offer him a better and comfortable zone to take a rest in. If he rests in ease, he might probably heal if his illness is not fatal.
Spending Time With Him
You should spend more time with him more than usual. Just keep him beside you wherever you go and engage him in physical and mental activities more than often but for shorter times. Just show him that you love him and are always there for him. In this way, he might forget about his suffering and live the remaining life happily.
Offering Favorite but Healthy Food
As a continuation of the above recommendation, you should try to offer him his favorite food so that he can cherish it and stay delighted. But make sure that he does not overeat or the food is not harmful.
Keeping Healthy Routines
You should try to carry on with the healthy routine walks, exercise, and other activities, but you must not overstress your dog with it, especially when it comes to adding a new activity. Such pursuits can keep him fit for the life remaining.
Final Verdict: How Long Can Corgis Live?
Corgi is overall a healthy dog breed with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. That said, like other dog breeds, they are also prone to various health issues that may affect their life expectancy. But you can always help improve Corgi’s lifespan by providing him regular physical exercise and mental stimulation, maintaining dental health, never missing annual vet visits, and by feeding him quality dog food.